First, we should kneel down and pray that God may enlighten our minds to know our sins; second, we should examine ourselves in detail concerning the commandments of God, the precepts of the Church, the seven capital sins, the duties of our state in life, applying our minds to discover all our thoughts, words, deeds, and omissions against God, our neighbor or ourselves.

What points must we examine with regard to each sin?

We must examine the number of times each mortal sin has been committed, together with any circumstances which might change the nature of the sin or add to its gravity.

How can we excite ourselves to true contrition?

First, we must fervently beg of God to give us the grace of true contrition; secondly, we must earnestly consider the wickedness of sin, the eternal punishment of Hell, the Passion and Death of our Lord Jesus Christ, the infinite goodness of God, and for these motives hate and detest our sins.

2 Kinds of Contrition: Perfect & Imperfect

Perfect Contrition is that which comes from the love of God; it is the sorrow which we have for our sins because they have offended God who is infinitely good and infinitely lovable.

If we have perfect contrition, God forgives our sins even though we cannot go to Confession, but our contrition must include the intention of confessing our sins.

An act of perfect contrition is essential to save our souls, when being in danger of death and in a state of mortal sin we cannot go to Confession.

Imperfect Contrition is the sorrow which we have for our sins because we fear that God will punish us in Hell or shut us our from Heaven, or because our sins are hideous in God’s sight.

If we have imperfect contrition, we can get forgiveness of our sins through the sacraments of Baptism or of Penance.

True Contrition must:

1. come from the heart (interior),

2. be supreme,

3. extend to all our sins (universal), and

4. be supernatural.

Interior: from the heart, not merely from our lips

Supreme: hate mortal sin above every other evil, and are willing to endure any suffering rather offend God in the future by mortal sin

Universal: sorry for ALL mortal sins

Supernatural: arises from motives which spring from faith and not merely from natural motives

Therefore, contrition is more than remorse.

Both Peter and Judas experienced remorse because they were unfaithful to Jesus. But the remorse of Judas led to despair and the remorse of Peter led to contrition.

Thursday, January 29, 2009

After the news of lifting the excommunication of SSPX Bishops last week. Now we have another exciting news on Christian Unity. This time is about the possibility of about 400,000 Traditional Anglicans joining the Catholic Church!!!

God gives each one of us sufficient grace ever to know His holy will, and to do it fully.---ST. IGNATIUS.

天主賜給我們每一個人充足的聖寵去認識祂的聖意，並完全實踐。

January 27th is the Feast of St. Angela Merici.

Mothers of children, even if they have a thousand, carry each and every one fixed in their hearts, and because of the strength of their love they do not forget any of them. In fact, it seems that the more children they have the more their love and care for each one is increased. Surely those who are mothers in spirit can and must act all the more in the same way, because spiritual love is more powerful than the love that comes from a blood relationship.---ST. ANGELA MERICI.

Q1. What fatal consequences have, with original sin, passed to all men?

A1. 1. Their disgrace with God, and at the same time their loss of the sonship of God, and of the right of inheriting the kingdom of Heaven; 2. Ignorance, concupiscence, and proneness to evil; and 3. All sorts of hardships, pains, calamities, and at last death.

Q2. If without the grace of the Redeemer no one can be saved, how then could those who lived before the coming of Christ go to Heaven?

A2. Those who lived before the coming of the Redeemer of the world could not indeed enter Heaven before Him; but with grace which God gave them on account of the Redeemer to come, they could merit the kingdom of Heaven, and then enter into it with Him.

Q3. Did God give grace also to the pagans for the salvation of their souls?

A3. Yes; He manifested Himself also to the pagans, and in many ways exhorted them to repentance and amendment:

1. By the voice of conscience; 2. By natural benefits; 3. By His judgments; 4. By extraordinary men whom He raised among them or sent to them; 5. By the Israelites whom, with their holy books, He dispersed among them; and 6. Sometimes also by Angels, dreams, wonderful apparitions or events.

Moral Application:

My child, be a beautiful image of God and hate sin, which has brought all evils into the world. ‘Sin maketh nations miserable’ (Prov. xiv. 34).

In vain men try. They can never find in creatures sincere affection, perfect joy, or true peace.---BL. HENRY SUSO.

人徒然嘗試。他們不能在受造物身上找到純淨的愛、完美的快樂、或真正的和平。

January 25th is the Feast of the Conversion of St. Paul.

The commemoration of this great event was to be a Feast in the Church, and it had a right to be kept as near as might be to the one which celebrates the martyrdom of St. Stephen, for Paul is the Protomartyrs’ convert.---ABBOT GUERANGER, O.S.B.

Fountain of Love and Life is now being shown on Fairchild TV nationally on every Sunday at 4:30 pm.

《生命恩泉》電視節目逢週日下午4:35 於「新時代電視」全國性播出。

A precious crown is reserved in heaven for those who perform all their actions with all the diligence of which they are capable; for it is not sufficient to do our part well; it must be done more than well.---ST. IGNATIUS.

在天堂上，為那些盡全力去勤奮做事的人被預留一個珍貴的冠冕; 因為我們不但要做好我們的一份; 更應把它做得完美。

January 22nd is the Feast of St. Vincent, deacon and martyr.

Vincent does not belong to Spain only: like Stephen, and like Lawrence, Vincent is the favorite and hero of the whole Church. Stephen, the deacon, preached the divinity of Jesus amidst the shower of stones which were hurled upon him as a blasphemer; Vincent, the deacon, confessed his faith in Jesus upon his red-hot gridiron, as did that other deacon, Lawrence. This triumvirate of Martyr-deacons cluster together in names, the Crown, the Laurel, and the Conqueror, we hail them as the three bravest Knights of our most dear Lord.---ABBOT GUERANGER, O.S.B.

Wednesday, January 21, 2009

When faith grows weak, all virtues are weakened. When faith is lost, all virtues are lost.---ST. ALPHONSUS.

若信德減弱，所有德行都減弱。若失去信德，所有德行都失去。

January 21st is the Feast of St. Agnes.

Tradition says that she suffered martyrdom at the age of thirteen. Detestable, indeed, the cruelty that spared not so tender an age; but great was the power of faith that could find even children as witnesses.---ST. AMBROSE.

Today I gave my 5th talk to the children on St. John Bosco. The talk has a few stories about St. John Bosco overcoming difficulties by trusting in God and Our Lady. Stories included: the mayor opposed, the pastors objected, the hardships of finding a place for the boy, and the sickness of St. John Bosco.

The blood of the martyrs is the seed of the Church.---TERTULLIAN.

Monday, January 19, 2009

Last night & tonight I gave the talk on Christian Doctrine to my Chinese & English prayer groups. Here is an outline of the talk.

Christian Doctrine

Definition

Christian Doctrine is the doctrine taught by Jesus Christ.

The Christian Doctrine is divine because Christ, its author, is the Son of God.

Christian Doctrine contains the whole divine revelation.

Revelation

Nature

Divine Revelation is a supernatural manifestation which God has made to men, of what they should know, believe, and practice.

Possibility

Revelation is possible because God is all-knowing and all-powerful

Certainty

affirmed by the Sacred Books

attested by the belief of all times

demonstrated by the most certain proofs

Errors

Rationalism, deism, naturalism, and all the false systems which reject the possibility and existence of revelation

all the heresies which attack any one of the revealed truths

The Three Periods

1. the primitive revelation

2. the Mosaic revelation

3. the evangelical revelation

Holy Scripture

the word of God written under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit

Old Testament: Historical Books, Moral Books, and Prophetical Books

New Testament: Historical Books, Moral Books, and Prophetical Books

Inspiration: the Holy Spirit, who, by a supernatural operation, excited the wills of the sacred writers to write, and enlightened their intellects so that they wrote on;y what God willed and as He willed. Hence God is the principal and immediate cause of the Holy Scripture, and the sacred writer is only the active instrumental cause.

Inspiration differs from revelation:

All that is contained in the Sacred Books is inspired but it is not all revealed; among the facts related therein, are some that were already known to the inspired writers by natural means.

Not all that has been revealed is inspired; Tradition has preserved some revealed truths that are not contained in Holy Scripture.

We know that the Sacred Books were written under divine inspiration from the teaching of the Church, whose authority is infallible.

Tradition

the word of God not written in the Bible, but transmitted, in an unbroken succession, by word of mouth from the Apostles to us

Tradition contained in:

decrees of Councils

acts of the Holy See

liturgical books

works of Christian art

writings of the Fathers and Doctors

Tradition is of equal authority with Holy Scripture because it is equally the word of God

The interpretation of Holy Scripture and of Tradition belong to the infallible teaching authority of the Church, the guardian of revealed truth.

Open thine ears to the voices of nature, and thou shalt hear them in concert inviting thee to the love of God.---VEN. LOUIS OF GRANADA.

向大自然的聲音張開您的耳朵，你便會聽到他們一致地邀請您去愛天主。

A young man applying to St. Macarius for spiritual advice, he directed him to go to a burying-place and upbraid the dead; and after that to go and flatter them. When he returned the saint asked him what answer the dead had made. “None at all”, said the other, “either to reproaches or praises.” “Then”, replied Macarius, “go and learn neither to be moved by abuse nor by flattery. If you die to the world and to yourself, you will begin to live to Christ.”.---BUTLER’S LIVES OF THE SAINTS.

Q1. How are the good Angels affected towards us (What do good Angels do to us)?

A1. The good Angels love us; therefore they protect us in soul and body, pray for us, and exhort us to do good.

Q2. What is our duty towards our Guardian Angels?

A2. We must venerate them with great devotion, be thankful to them, and readily follow their admonitions.

Q3. How are the fallen or wicked Angels affected towards us (What do wicked Angels do to us)?

A3. The wicked Angels, through hatred and envy, lay snares for us, in order to injure us in soul and body, and, by enticing us to sin, to plunge us into eternal perdition.

Q4. What must we do on our part, in order that the snares of the wicked Angels may serve to our salvation?

A4. We must fight against them full of faith and confidence, making use at the same time of the arms of prayer, and availing ourselves of the blessings sanctioned by the Church; and we must firmly resist all temptations to evil.

Moral Application:

Beware of being like the evil spirits by sinning, or of being even their accomplice in seducing others to sin. Imitate the good Angels; be innocent, docile, pious, devout, and always ready to promote the welfare of your neighbor. daily venerate your Guardian Angel, and recommend yourself to him in all dangers of soul and body.

In order to bear our afflictions with patience, it is very useful to read the lives and legends of the saints who endured great torments for Jesus Christ.---ST. TERESA.

為了耐心地承擔我們的痛苦，問讀那些為耶穌基督而忍受極大的痛苦的聖人們的行實和故事是非常有用的。

Saturday, January 17, 2009

Today is one of the busiest day in my life, with lots of Confessions, and other activities. This evening I was called to the hospital again. I felt very blessed to be able to baptize another baby girl. With the parents’ permission I am sharing her photo with you.

This week I have done 5 Baptisms in different places for people who were sick. I feel very blessed and grateful for all these Holy Baptisms. I ask you please keep them all in your prayers. Thank you.

This afternoon I baptized a baby girl in the hospital. I ask the readers please pray hard for this baby. With the parents’ permission I am sharing with you a photo of the baby and her Baptismal name: Maria.

This post is intended for members of the Altar Servers Group at St. Pat’s. This afternoon we had Altar Servers meeting. I am listing the main items for our meeting here:

When passing by the Blessed Sacrament, should genuflect (right knee touching the ground)

Holding book for priest. Standing at around 45 degrees left of the priest

When holding paten for Communion, keep the paten “flat”. Never turn it upside down or place one paten on top of another.

2 kinds of bow: Profound Bow (during Nicene Creed) & Bow of the Head (at the Name of JESUS)

During the Our Father, it is proper to fold your hands. Better reserve the gesture of extending hands to the priest. Because when the priest extends his hands, he is gathering the prayers of the people and offer them to God

Remember don’t get an altar server’s gown that is too short for you. Should reach your ankles.

Remember last time I asked the altar servers NOT to “fool around” or to “rush” while in the sanctuary.

I talked about St. Mark’s Gospel to the Altar Servers:

Right now is Year B (Sunday’s Gospel mainly from St. Mark’s); Weekday Masses now also using St. Mark’s

St. Mark’s Gospel is the shortest and earliest of the 4 Gospels

St. Mark got his information from St. Peter

St. Mark wrote to Christians who were persecuted

The Cross of Christ is the main theme of Mark. As disciples of Christ, we must carry our daily crosses

St. Mark was a good story-teller

St. Mark’s stories challenge us to see ourselves in the characters of the stories

Baptism & Confession are Sacraments for sinners (Sacraments of the dead), and the other 5 are Sacraments for the just (Sacraments of the living). Sacraments of the living should be received in the state of grace.

Baptism, Confirmation, & Holy Orders give to the soul a spiritual character which can never be effaced. Thus, these 3 Sacraments can be received only once.

BAPTISM

Form: I Baptize you, in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

Matter: The pouring of water

Minister: Priest; but in case of necessity, anyone

Effects: a) destroys all sins (original & actual); b) remits punishments; c) makes one a child of God and of the Church; d) render one capable of receiving other Sacraments

CONFIRMATION

Form: Be Sealed with the Gift of the Holy Spirit.

Matter: Anointing with Chrism

Minister:Bishop; but priest can also give Confirmation when 1) he receive someone into the Catholic Church; 2) in danger of death; 3) with the permission of the Bishop

Time is but a period. It passes like the lightning flash. Suffering passes with time; suffering, then, is very short.---BL. HENRY SUSO.

時間只是個期限。 它像閃電閃光般流過。 痛苦隨着時間流過，因此痛苦是非常短暫的。

January 17th is the Feast of St. Anthony the Great.

St. Anthony instructed his monks to reflect every morning that perhaps they might not live till night, and every evening that perhaps they might never see the morning; and to do every action as if it were the last of their lives.---BUTLER’S LIVES OF THE SAINTS.

在每個受造物，不論它是多麼微小，我們都可發現天主智慧、能力和美善的一個驚人的反映。

Thursday, January 15, 2009

Before I go to bed, just want to share with you something fun I did tonight. I took an on-line quiz: Which Church Father are you?

Here is the result:

You’re St. Melito of Sardis!

You have a great love of history and liturgy. You’re attached to the traditions of the ancients, yet you recognize that the old world — great as it was — is passing away. You are loyal to the customs of your family, though you do not hesitate to call family members to account for their sins.

People who Follow this Blog

Our Lady of the Clergy, Pray for Us!

O Priest! thou art not thyself, because thou art God; thou art not of thyself, because thou art the servant and minister of Christ; thou art not thine own, because thou art the spouse of the Church; thou art not for thyself, because thou art the mediator between God and man; thou art not from thyself, because thou art nothing. What then art thou, O Priest? Nothing and everything. O Priest! take care lest what was said to Christ on the Cross be said to thee: He saved others, himself he cannot save. -St. Norbert